A research team from MIT has published groundbreaking results in Science, unveiling a bionic knee system that integrates osseointegration with neural interfaces. This technology directly connects the user’s skeletal and muscle tissues, dramatically improving motor performance and body ownership in above-knee amputees.

The team employed the agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) surgical technique to reconstruct muscle signaling pathways within the residual limb. Combined with a titanium osseointegrated implant (e-OPRA) and a novel controller, the system precisely decodes myoelectric signals and translates them into prosthetic movements. Project leader Professor Hugh Herr stated: "This tissue-integrated prosthesis is no longer an external tool but has become an extension of the user's own body."

Clinical trials showed that the two participants fitted with the complete osseointegrated mechanical-neuroprosthesis (OMP) system outperformed users of conventional prostheses in tasks such as stair climbing and obstacle crossing. Their movement speed increased by approximately 30%, and proprioception questionnaire scores improved significantly. First author Dr. Tony Shu noted: "The direct skeletal load-bearing design eliminates skin problems associated with traditional sockets, while the 16-channel system ensures signal transmission accuracy."

The technology is already being used routinely for below-knee amputations at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the United States, and commercial approval for above-knee applications is expected within five years. The researchers plan to expand the scale of clinical trials to further validate the long-term stability and generalizability of the system.